dilate
[ dahy-leyt, di-, dahy-leyt ]
/ daɪˈleɪt, dɪ-, ˈdaɪ leɪt /
verb (used with object), di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.
to make wider or larger; cause to expand.
Archaic.
to describe or develop at length.
verb (used without object), di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.
to spread out; expand.
to speak or write at length; expatiate (often followed by on or upon).
Origin of dilate
1350–1400; Middle English
dilaten < Middle French
dilater, Latin
dīlātāre to spread out, equivalent to
dī-
di-2 +
lāt(us) broad +
-āre infinitive suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM dilate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dilate
dilate diluteWords nearby dilate
Example sentences from the Web for dilate
British Dictionary definitions for dilate
dilate
/ (daɪˈleɪt, dɪ-) /
verb
to expand or cause to expand; make or become wider or larger
the pupil of the eye dilates in the dark
(intr; often foll by on or upon)
to speak or write at length; expand or enlarge
Derived forms of dilate
Word Origin for dilate
C14: from Latin
dīlātāre to spread out, amplify, from
dis- apart +
lātus wide
Medical definitions for dilate
dilate
[ dī-lāt′, dī′lāt′ ]
v.
To make or become wider or larger.